Apparatus for weighing yarn on a yarn winding machine

ABSTRACT

The disclosure herein describes an improved apparatus and method for weighing the yarn wound on the rotatable shaft of a yarn winding machine; the apparatus consists of a balance beam which has at one end thereof a first deck for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which skeins or balls of yarn are to be made and which has at the opposite end thereof a second deck for receiving thereon a plurality of individual weights, each individual weight corresponding to the predetermined weight assigned to a skein or ball of yarn, or to a fraction thereof. Positioned to be responsive to the balance beam movement, an electrical switch, when closed, causes the rotation of the machine shaft on which yarn is bundled in the form of a skein or a ball; when the weight of the yarn transferred from the bobbin onto the shaft equals that of the one or more weights removed from the second deck prior to a winding operation, the balance beam returns to equilibrium thereby opening the switch and stopping the winding operation.

United States Patent [1 1 Girard APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING YARN ON A YARN WINDING MACHINE [75] Inventor: Andr Girard, Saint-Hyacinthe,

I Quebec, Canada [73] Assignee: Aronelle Textiles Limited,

. Mont-St-Hilaire, Quebec, Canada 221 Filed: Sept. 9, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 178,882

[52] US. Cl. 242/39, 242/49 [51] Int. Cl R65h 63/08 [58] Field of Search 242/39, 40, 36, 57, 242/28, 49; 73/160 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 127,456. 6/1872 Brown 242/39 2,224,128 12/1940 Abbott 242/39 1,143,003 6/1915 West 242/39 X Primary Examiner-Stanley N. Gilreath Attorney-Cushman, Darby & Cushman [451 Jan. 15, 1974 [57 ABSTRACT The disclosure herein describes an improved apparatus and method for weighing the yarn wound on the rotatable shaft of a yarn winding machine; the apparatus consists of a balance beam which has at one end thereof a first deck for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which skeins or balls of yarn are to be made and which has at the opposite end thereof a second deck for receiving thereon a plurality of individual weights, each individual weight corresponding to the predetermined weight assigned to a skein or ball of yarn, or to a fraction thereof. Positioned to be responsive to the balance beam movement, an electrical switch, when closed, causes the rotation of the machine shaft on which yarn is bundled in the form of a skein or a ball; when the weight of the yarn transferred from the bobbin onto the shaft equals that of the one or more weights removed from the second deck prior to a winding operation, the balance beam returns to equilibrium thereby opening the switch and stopping the winding operation.

4 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PAIENTE JAN 1 51974 INVENTOR Andre GIRARD 7m, rflalw, AGENTS APPARATUS FOR WEIGHING YARN ON A YARN WINDING MACHINE The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to yarn winding machines; more particularly, the invention concerns an apparatus for weighing the yarn which is wound on the rotatable shaft of the yarn winding machine.

When knitting wool, for example, is sold, it is usually packaged in the form of a coiled or looped bundle containing a definite yardage. However, in most countries. the label on the package must disclose the weight of the contained bundle and strict government regulations force the manufacturer to provide in the package at least the amount of yarn indicated. Present machines wind yarn into bundles based on length, i.e., to so much length of yarn corresponds a given weight. However, in establishing the length-to-weight relation of each type of filament, various factors must be considered such as the crimp and/or twist in the filament; since it is practically impossible to provide a uniform crimp or twist throughout a length of filament,th'e relation is difficult to obtain and rarely accurate. Furthermore, it has been observed that the weight of a given length of filament will vary depending on the dye used for coloring the filament. These machines which operate with reference to length use a meter mechanism which stops the winding operation when the predetermined length of filament is reached. Therefore, for each type of filament and for each color used, the meter must be reset to suit the estimated length. This results in time lost each time the machine is stopped for resetting. Yet, another disadvantage is that manufacturers,'in order to follow the abovementioned government restrictions, will provide in each package more than the weight indicated in order to not be penalized for having provided less. It can therefore be seen that there is a need for more accurate measuring devices on present winding machines.

It is an object of this invention to overcome the above disadvantages by providing a measuring apparatus for weighing yarn which will operate in response to the weight of the yarn wound rather than to the length of filament used in making a skein or'ball of yarn.

It is also an object of this invention to provide on a winding machine a measuring device which will provide extreme accuracy in the feeding of yarn on the rotatable shaft of the winding machine.- This is achieved by utilizing the movement of a balance beam, one end of which supports a bobbin of yarn from which bundles will be made and the other end of which receives a plurality of individual weights, each weight corresponding to the predetermined weight of a bundle or to a fraction thereof.

In a broad aspect, the apparatus comprises in combination, a balance beam having at one end thereof first deck means for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which yarn bundles will be made ,and having at the opposite end thereof second deck means for receiving thereon a plurality of individual weights which are proportional to the weight desired for a bundle, and actuator means for operating the rotatable shaft of the winding machine in response to the beam movement. The actuator means include switch means positioned to be responsive to the balance beam movement whereby the shaft of the machine is caused to be rotated and yarn is bundled thereon until the weight of the yarn transferred from the bobbin to the shaft equals the weight of the one or more weights removed from the second deck means prior to the winding operation.

Reference to the accompanying drawing and the following description will serve to illustrate the applicability of the invention without'thereby limiting its scope to less than that of all equivalents which will be apparent to one skilled in the art. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like or corresponding parts and:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevationalview illustrating a balance beam arrangement for weighing the bundle being wound around the shaft of a winding machine;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the actuator means in the non-operating condition; and

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view of the actuator means in the operating condition.

Although not shown in the drawings, yarn winding machines in a plant usually consist of a series of rotatable shafts set in a side-by-side arrangement and driven by a common endless belt; these machines, being well known in the art, will not be described. However, with reference to FIG. 1, one of these rotatable shafts is shown and generally denoted by reference numeral 10. One end of shaft 10 shows a bundle 12 which has been wound in the form of a skein. The shaft 10 is 'rotatably supported in a housing 14 to which is also secured a traveller 16 uniformly distributing filament 18 on bundle 12. The other end of shaft 10 is provided with a roller 20 which is adapted to be driven by an endless belt 22.

The present invention concerns an improvement in the determination of the accurate weight to be given to bundle 12. The improvement consists in a balance beam arrangement denoted generally by numeral 24. The arrangement consists of a balance beam 26 extending over a suitable fulcrum support beam 28. At one end 30 of balance beam 26 is mounted first deck means 34 which include a plate 36 on which is placed a receptacle 38 to receive a bobbin 40 of filament. The bobbins received in receptacle 38are cylindrically or conically shaped and they may be stacked vertically in series; the filament used may be wool or any other contin uous filament yarn of synthetic material. An arm 42 guides the filament 18 to the traveller 16. At the oppo site end 44 of balance beam 26 is mounted second deck means 46 which include a plate 48' on which is placed a plurality of individual weights 50 of known masses and preferably bearing thereon an indication'of their respective weight. Each weight 50 may correspond to the exact weight to be given to the bundle 12 or correspond to a fraction thereof. First and second deck means are respectively supported by shafts 52 and 54 which are adapted to slide vertically in their respective bases 56 and 58. A weight 60 and a scale 62 provided on the balance beam 26 further assist in the stable equilibrium of the balance beam.

The apparatus of the present invention further includes actuator means operative from the positioning of the balance beam 26 for the actuation of shaft 10 of the winding machine. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the actuator means, generally denoted by reference numeral 63, include a magnetically actuable element 64, such as a reed switch, which can be energized into a closed or open position bymeans of a magnet 66 positioned in superposed arrangement to the switch; magnet 66 is shown mounted at the lower portion of the deck means 34. Switch 64 is serially connected in a closed circuit with a power supply 68'ar1d a coil 70. En-

ergization of coil 70, due to the closing of switch 64, results in the vertical displacement of a rod 72 through the coil; the lower end of rod 72 is pivotally connected to one end of a lever arm 74 which has its other end pivotally mounted to a fixed point 76. Lever 74 also carries a roller 78 which is adapted to come into contact with belt 22 to thereby tension the belt 22 on roller resulting in the rotation of shaft 10.

In operation, belt 22 is constantly driven. Equilibrium of the balance beam is established by placing on plate 48 a measured amount of weights 50 equal to the weight of yarn bobbin 40; if required, the calibration is assisted by displacing weight 60' along the scale 62. When the beam is stabilized in the horizontal position, one or more weights equal to the weight desired for the bundle 12 are removed from plate 48, thus resulting in an upward movement of deck means 46 and a downward movement of deck means 34. In coming in the vicinity of switch 64, magnet causes switch 64 to close; power supply 68 thus energizes coil 70 and rod 72 moves downward to move roller 78 in a tensioning engagement with rotating belt 22. Roller 20 is caused to rotate together with shaft 10. As bundle 12 is being wound, the weight of yarn bobbin 40 is lessened. Therefore, as long as there is a slightly greater weight on deck means 36 than on deck means 48, the switch 64 remains in the closed position due to the presence of magnet 66 nearby. However, as soon as the weight removed from bobbin 40 equals the weight previously removed from plate 48, the upward movement of magnet 66 causes switch 64 to open and to distance roller 78 from its contacting engagement with belt 22; roller 20 and shaft 10 are no longer driven. The rotation of shaft 10 may be further assisted by means of brake means (not shown) for instance provided in housing 14.

Although the invention has been described above in relation to one specific form of the invention, it is evident that it can be refined and modified in various ways by persons skilled in the art. For example, there are various switch means which could be used for the actuation of the actuator means: these switch means range from simple contacts to photo-sensitive and photoemitting devices. Furthermore, it is also envisaged that the stopping of the rotation of shaft 10 could be further assisted by brake means provided, for instance, in housing 14 and set in operation upon de-energization of coil 70. It is therefore wished to have it understood that the present invention is not limited in interpretation except by the terms of the following claims.

I claim:

1. An apparatus for weighing yarn comprising a rotatable shaft of a yarn winding machine, drive means operatively connected to said rotatable shaft, a balance beam having at one end thereof first deck means for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which yarn is to be drawn onto said rotatable shaft to form a bundle of predetermined weight thereon and having at the opposite end thereof second deck means for receiving thereon a plurality of removable individual weights, each weight corresponding to the predetermined weight of a yarn bundle or to a fraction thereof; and actuator means operatively connected between said balance beam and said drive means and including switch means mounted adjacent one of said deck means and positioned to be responsive to a balance beam movement, said drive means being responsive to the actuation of said switch means to rotate said shaft whereby yarn is bundled on said shaft as a result of said switch means being actuated until the weight of yarn transferred from the bobbin onto said shaft equals the weight of one or more weights which are removed on the second deck means prior to a winding operation, said actuator means including a power supply and a coil serially connected to said switch means; a rod extending through said coil; a lever having one end connected to said rod; said drive means including a belt; roller means carried by said lever and adapted to engage said belt driving said rotatable shaft whereby energization of said coil causes said roller means of said lever to frictionally engage said belt to thereby begin the winding operation of said shaft.

2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means include a magnet fixed to said first deck means, said first deck means having a base and a magnetically actuable element fixed to said base of said first deck means.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said balance beam further includes calibration means for stable equilibrium of said beam.

4. ln a winding machine, in combination,

a rotatable shaft for winding thereon a yarn bundle of predetermined weight;

an endless belt driving said shaft into rotation;

a weighing apparatus for measuring the weight of the wound bundle including a balance beam having at one end thereof first deck means for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which yarn is to be drawn onto said shaft and having at the opposite end thereof second deck means receiving thereon a plurality of removable individual weights, each weight corresponding to the predetermined weight of the yarn bundle or to a fraction thereof;

actuator means for causing the rotation of said shaft including switch means positioned to be responsive to the balance beam movement, said means including a magnet and a magnetically actuable element serially connected to a power supply and to a coil; a displaceable rod extending through said coil and connected to lever means adapted to frictionally engage said endless belt whereby energization of said coil due to said magnet coming in the vicinity of said element causes said lever means to urge said endless belt into driving engagement with said rotatable shaft. 

1. An apparatus for weighing yarn comprising a rotatable shaft of a yarn winding machine, drive means operatively connected to said rotatable shaft, a balance beam having at one end thereof first deck means for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which yarn is to be drawn onto said rotatable shaft to form a bundle of predetermined weight thereon and having at the opposite end thereof second deck means for receiving thereon a plurality of removable individual weights, each weight corresponding to the predetermined weight of a yarn bundle or to a fraction thereof; and actuator means operatively connected between said balance beam and said drive means and including switch means mounted adjacent one of said deck means and positioned to be responsive to a balance beam movement, said drive means being responsive to the actuation of said switch means to rotate said shaft whereby yarn is bundled on said shaft as a result of said swItch means being actuated until the weight of yarn transferred from the bobbin onto said shaft equals the weight of one or more weights which are removed on the second deck means prior to a winding operation, said actuator means including a power supply and a coil serially connected to said switch means; a rod extending through said coil; a lever having one end connected to said rod; said drive means including a belt; roller means carried by said lever and adapted to engage said belt driving said rotatable shaft whereby energization of said coil causes said roller means of said lever to frictionally engage said belt to thereby begin the winding operation of said shaft.
 2. An apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switch means include a magnet fixed to said first deck means, said first deck means having a base and a magnetically actuable element fixed to said base of said first deck means.
 3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said balance beam further includes calibration means for stable equilibrium of said beam.
 4. In a winding machine, in combination, a rotatable shaft for winding thereon a yarn bundle of predetermined weight; an endless belt driving said shaft into rotation; a weighing apparatus for measuring the weight of the wound bundle including a balance beam having at one end thereof first deck means for receiving thereon at least one yarn bobbin from which yarn is to be drawn onto said shaft and having at the opposite end thereof second deck means receiving thereon a plurality of removable individual weights, each weight corresponding to the predetermined weight of the yarn bundle or to a fraction thereof; actuator means for causing the rotation of said shaft including switch means positioned to be responsive to the balance beam movement, said means including a magnet and a magnetically actuable element serially connected to a power supply and to a coil; a displaceable rod extending through said coil and connected to lever means adapted to frictionally engage said endless belt whereby energization of said coil due to said magnet coming in the vicinity of said element causes said lever means to urge said endless belt into driving engagement with said rotatable shaft. 